Guterres calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Moscow

The general secretary of United Nationsthe Portuguese Antonio Guterrescalled this Tuesday for the need to establish a humanitarian ceasefire that serves for “save lifes and allow the creation of effective humanitarian corridors” in Ukraine and has also explained that the UN will promote the investigation, independently, of the “possible war crimes” committed during this war, which began two months ago.

Guterres has made these statements since Moscow, at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov. Guterres arrived in the region this Monday, after an express visit to ankara, Turkeywhere he met with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoganwho has been trying to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

This Tuesday, in Moscow, he met with the Russian president, Vladimir Putinand on Thursday he will do it in kyiv with the Ukrainian, Volodymyr Zelensky. “I have come to Moscow as a messenger of peace. My agenda is strictly linked to saving lives and reducing suffering. I have had one very frank discussion with Lavrov, and it is very clear that there are two very different positions on what is happening in Ukraine,” Guterres explained at a press conference.

“According to Russia, what is happening is a special military operation with the previously announced objectives. According to the UN, in line with the resolutions approved by the general assembly, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of its territorial integrity. I believe that the sooner we end this war, the better it will be for the people of Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of the world,” said the UN Secretary-General.

Beside him, in front of the press, Lavrov listened, but in his turn to speak, the Russian foreign minister devoted himself, above all, to complain about western countries. “We have discussed the general fate of the UN and the attempts of our Western colleagues to decide for themselves the functioning of the institution. They see themselves as the unique members of a select club“, Lavrov has complained, who later explained that Russia will try to coordinate with the UN to, he said, “improve the humanitarian situation in Ukraine”.

“We have talked today about strengthening our dialogue in this regard, and negotiations with UN working groups will start soon in Moscow. This will make it possible for the humanitarian situation get better,” the Russian foreign minister said.

jug of cold water

Before the meeting with Guterres in Moscow, Presidents Putin and Erdogan have spoken on the phone, in another attempt by the Turkish president to get together, on the same point —Erdogan wants it to be istanbul— to Zelensky and Putin. The Ukrainian accepts the proposal, but the Russian, for nowrefuses.

Before Guterres, Lavrov has been in charge of removing even more hopes. “Talking about mediators and mediation in the current phase [del conflicto]From my point of view, it’s premature“said the Russian minister.

“We are very interested in finding ways to create the necessary conditions to achieve a effective dialogue that will serve to reach a ceasefire and a peaceful solution as soon as possible”, said Guterres, before Serguei Lavrov.

In recent weeks, Russia has changed its position regarding peace meetings with Ukraine, which at the beginning of the conflict were weekly but now, two months later, they have stopped completely. The last meeting was in Istanbul, in March, and since then Russia has sent the message that reality on the ground —the progress of the war— will be what determines the fate of the negotiations.

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“We propose the establishment of a humanitarian contact group that brings together Russia, Ukraine and the UN to look for opportunities to achieve local ceasefires Y safe brokers and effective, that are respected by all. Today, in the donbasthere is a tremendous battle, of violence and destruction. civilians are dyingand thousands of people, trapped by the conflict, are at risk of dying”, said Guterres, who has placed special emphasis on the besieged city of Mariupol.

“We have a crisis within a crisis in Mariupol. Thousands of civilians are trapped there [en el complejo metalúrgico de Azovstal] in dire need of humanitarian aid and evacuation. The UN is ready to mobilize and help save lives in the city“, continued the secretary general of the United Nations.